Finder



Deer.: 2, F. A. WENMAN FINDER Filed `June 21, 1922 -3 sheets-sheet 1 lllllmlllll- ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1924.

1,518,032 F. A. WENMAN F'NDER Filed June 2l. 1522 '3 Sheets-Sheet 25 WITNESSES l\ ffwwf/f 50 I I t I AA TTUHNEYS Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. WENMAN, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FINDER.

To all vwhom tf/nay concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. `VVEN- MAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident ot the city of New York, borough ot Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented `a new and Improved Finder, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a finder particu larly applicable to cameras, although not necessarily limited to this application, and my present invention aims particularly to provide improved construction over my prior Patent #1,406,124 issued February 7,

l5 1922, so that certain new and useful results will be achieved over the construction disclosed in this patent.

The present'device, similar to my previous construction is intended for the purpose of providing a linder which is primarily to rbe associated with a camera and by means of which an operatormay make an exposure of a tall building or similar object at a relatively short'distance without any danger of the exposure presenting the object as tilting away from or towards the camera. This result is achieved by the movement of the shutter block, in a direction parallel to the object to be photographed, and either above or below a horizontal plane, according to whether the object `is below or above the operator. This mechanism 'forms a standard part ot usual camera construction and my `invention resides more particularly in the provision of a finder which may be adjusted to embrace a certain iield of vision, and the adjustment of the camera parts to the proper position, to also embrace the objects shown in thetinder.

'ill T have found in use that the finder constructed in accordance with my previous application, although `extremely desirable in most instances, o'llers objection in that an inexperienced operator has diliciculty inextend- #15 ing the liunction and coeoperation et the pars. Thus it is necessary in this prerions structure 'to actuate the .finder mccln anism soithat the finder will embracethe object to be photographed. Subsequent it is 'EU necessary to read the indicator and `finally the shutter block must be adjustedto a cor responding position. Also in certain in stances, due to the l'act that the finder is carried by the shutter block and moves f therewith to correct slightly the position of j Application filed June 21, 1922. -Seral No. 569,839.

the finder, and subsequently to correct the position of the block.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a finder mechanism particularly intended for use in connection with cameras and by means oit which the parts will automatically be set to their proper position upon the finder being adjusted to embracey the tield"7 which is to be photographed.

A further object ot my present invention is that of constructing a device of the character stated in which `no correcting of the position of the parts will be necessary so that, in other words, an operator upon once moving the finder to include the desired object, it will only be necessary for `him tomake an exposure, and he may be assured that all of the parts embraced in the iiull field `of the finder will be included in this exposure, and that these parts will appear in the same manner as theyappear reflected in the linder.

Thus a mechanism is produced which is extremely simple in operation, and by means of which an utterly inexperienced person is capable of achieving extremely desirable re sults, aside from the tact that it will be impossible for an operator to produce a poor or unexpected result incident to becoming confused with the operation and mechanism.

The finder embracing my present construction and associated with a came a is particularly adapted for use in connection with a device of this type, which employs a roll ot films. In other words, in a plate camera or a type rof camera in which the field to-be photographed is visible upon the ground glass, the lens block may readily be adjusted soI that exact results may be procured. However in a iilm camera ot the usual construction this result is incapable of 'accomplishnienu and thus the present finder, in view lol the -tact that it einbrares exactly the same field ot vision as is included by the negative, and-shows the `image in the market, and linown as a folding pocket camera, together with mechanism which will co-ordinate the movement of the shutter block and linder.

Reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings as illustrating a practical embodiment ot my invention, and it will be seen in these drawings that;

lfigure l1, is a side elevatimi oit a conventional :torni olfv camera and tinder, together with mechanism which will produce the rcsult desired.

Figure 2 is a .trent view oit the device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an. enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3-3 and in the direction of the arrows indicated in Figure 2.

Figure l is a fragmentary front view ol a portion of a camera and the mechanism lor actuating the finder, said linder being arranged in lateral position.

Figure 5 is a plan view ot the parts as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a 'fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of the mechanism aforo-reterred to.

Figure 7 is an end view thereof', and

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8-S and in the direction of the arrows indicated in Figure 2.

It will be seen in these views that the reference numeral 11 indicates a conventional camera body, to which a base 12 is hingedly attached, the latter carrying tracks 13 mounting the traveler 14, and a bellows 15 is also provided which, when the parts of the camera are unfolded, extends between the body 11 and the shutter or lens block 16.

Also in accordance with conventional construction an adjustable mounting 'for the block 16 is provided by utilizing a plate 17 which is lixedly attached to the block 1G, and provides sleeves 18 adjacent its edge portions which sleeves slidably embrace columns 19, the latter being supported by a table 2O which is transversely movable ot the traveler .tt although normally retained tixed with respect to the saine by suitable securing means 21.

By the last named construction which is common to virtually all types of cameras, a trai'isverse shift-ing ot the block 16 with respect to the camera parts is effected, and also in accordance with the conventional construction, one ot. the columns 19 may be screw threaded as at 22, these threads being engaged by the nut 23 carried in a cut out portion formed at one et the edges ot the plate 17. rfhus if it is desired to adjust the block 16 with respect to the camera, this effect may be secured by simply rotating the nut S to thus iloree the plate 17 and the block carried thereby longitudinally ot' the columns 19. i

The foregoing is conventional construction and I wish it understood that the same lol-nis no part of my invention, the 'ame being also true of the finder best shown in Figure 3, which finder may embrace a body 24 within which an angularly disposed reflecting element 25 is provided, the latter being viewed through a transparent element 2G, and the rays being reflected onto the same through a lens 27, the said transparent element 2G being shielded by a cover 2S which is mov-ably carried by the body 24h However, contrary to the usual construction it will be noted that, in addition to the tact that the body 2l .is capable oil? trans versely swinging with respect to the came 'a body by the provision ot the pin 29, the same is also longitudinally movable ot' the said camera. This latter movement is permitted by virtue ot the fact that the pin 29 is supported by parts associated with the block 16, and this pin extends through the base 30 directly carrying the finder and a connection permitting of a movement ol' the finder proper with respect to the base 30 Ais provided in the manner atorestated by means oit a second pin 31 extending transversely through the base 30 and extensions 32 forming a part ot the finder proper. However the finder proper, or in other words, the body of the same is held normally im1novable with respect to the base 30 by any suitable means such as a spring 33 associated with the pin, which spring, as in Figure 8 has one ot its ends co-operating with the rear edge of the finder proper, its opposite end co-operating with or bearing against the said base. l

It is also to be noted that contrary to conventional construction, one ot' the columns 19 carries or presents a serrated rack all, and a gear 35 has its teeth operatively engaging this rae-lr, it being seen as in Figure 3 that the gear is carried upon a shatt 3G in turn supported by a housing 37. lVithin the housing a beveled gear 38 is provided, which gear is farriedby the inner end ot' the sha'lt 536 and a second gear 3l) is carried by a second shaft ull), and thus upon the shatt P36 being turned the second shalt lll will he correspondingly rotated incident to the interengagement ot the gears 3S and 23S). ,lloivever, attention being again invited to l `igure 3 it will be noted that the shaft Ltl) is capable olf sliding nioven'icnt with respect to the' gear $539 and the body ol' the shatt is rotatably supported by a trunnion 4:1 while the upper end et the same extemls through a screw threaded collar 42 attached to the plate 17 and is formed with corresponding` screw threads 43 at this point, while its upper end bears against the underside ot' the finder proper at a point beyond the pin 31.

Thus in operation it will be understood assuming that an object is to be photographed at a relatively short range which object extends or lies in a plane tar beyond the horizontal plane in which the operator stands, the said operator may position the camera so that the saine `is as nearly level as possible, this result being achieved by the use ot anydesirable'typeoi levelingdevice which the operator may employ, such as tor instance the spirit level 49 shown in Figure 5. The operator new moves the block 16 by any suitable means such as the mechanism shown with respect to the columns 19 and in the interim views the field visible Within the finder,

This latteil member will obviously also be moved incident to the tact that it is supported by the plate 17, but it Will also be moved additionally, or in other Words with respect to the said plate. This action is caused by the 'lact that the plate moves along the columns 19, carrying with it the housing` 37 and the gear 35, and the latter, meshing with the teeth of the serrated portion El will be rotated. This rotation Will be transmitted to the shaft 40, and the latter will be projected or retracted to a `greater or less extent according to the amount ot movement oi the plate ywith respect to its supporting columns. Also incident to this projection, and diie to the Jfact that the same bears against the underside of the inder proper, the latter Will be swung around the pin 31, as has been indicated in Figure 3.

This operation will occur simultaneously ivith the movement ot' the block with respect to the columns, and thus an operator is enabled to adjust the plate 17 and the parts carried thereby, and to continue this adjustment While he views the field visible within the finder, until such time as those parts to be included in the exposure are visible in this field, it being of course obvious that the parts are so proportioned and adjusted that the finder movement will always correspond to the degree oi movement ot the shutter block to cause the camera to embrace a tield corresponding identical to the tield embraced by the sensitized element within the camera.

Thus the objects oit this invention are accomplished, and it will be understood that the incclmnisni herewith shown and described is adajjrted to numerous uses and associations, and ivith a view ot' presenting a complete device which will enable an operator to accomplish a desirable result when the camera has been placed upon its side to include a broader ield it Will be noted, reference being had to Figure 4 and Figure 7 that one ot the extensions 32 of the iinder proper slid-ably carries a forked member 44- Which may be reciprocated by means oi a knob The base 30 of the finder carries a pin L1G, and this pin is cnibraced by the arms or prongs of the mein ber The inner edge of one of these embracing armspresen't-s notches 47 of varying depths vand thus assuming that the member al .is retracted oi' projected it Will be obvious `that the finder will be tilted to a greater or less extent, and an indicating guide tor this tilting might be furnished by the provision fot certain marks 48 as in Figure 5, which upon the exposure.

lt will be understood that numerous modifications of structure might readily be resorted to Without in the least departing from the scope ot' my claims; Which are;

1. A .finder including a column, a serrated portion on said column, a plate movable with respect to said column, a gear rotatably carried by said plate and engaging said serrated portion, a finder rockingly carried by said plate and means connecting said gear With said iinder for tilting` the latter with respect to the plate upon the plate being moved With respect to the column.

2. A linder including a column, a serrated portion on said column, a plate movable with respect to said column, a gear rotatably carried by said plate and engaging said serrated portion, a finder rockingly carried by said plate and a shaft connected to said gear and adapted to be longitudinally .moved upon said gear being rotated, said shaft hav ing one ot its ends connected to said finder whereby to rock linder With respect to said plate upon said plate being moved with respect to said column.

3. A finder including a column, havingl a toothed portion, a plate movably carriedvby said column, a finder roekingly supported by said plate, a gear carried by said plate and engaging said toothed. portion, a sha'tt connected to said gear, and longitudinally movable with respect to said plate, and a linder roeliingly carried by said plate, one ot' the ends ot said shaft liearing against said finder whereby upon said plate being moved with respect to said column said finder will be rocked.

4t. linder including a column, having a toothed portion, a` plate niovably carrieifl by said column, a lindei' rockingly supported by said plate, a gear carried by said plate and engaging said toothed portion, a shaft connected to said gear and longitudinally movable with respect to said plate, and a screw threaded member carried by said plate, said shaft being :formed with screw threads engaging the first named screiv threads and being connected to said finder whereby upon said plate being` moved with respect to said column said Ender will be moved with respect to said plate.

A linder body ineludingj il, plate, :L linder niovztbly carried by Suid pluto, a forked member, and a pin, one of each of vSaid elements being eonneoted to said plate und l'inder` said forked member being formed with notched portions and embracing Suid piu, whereby upon Said member being: reeiproeul'ed, said finder will be moved with respect to said plate.

(S. A liuder including; u column having a toothed portion, :i plato movable longitudinully ot Said column, cooperating gea-rs one ot which is engaged with the toothed portion of Suid column, a linder body pivotzilly supported by uuid pluto, and mechunism couneeting Suid gears with Said linder body whereby upon said plate being moved along' said column the Iinder bod)v will be roelied about its pivot.

7. A nder including u column, u platte movable longitudinally of said column, L finder body pivotally supported by Said plate, :L shaft having one end contacting said finder body, und means actuated by a movement of Said plate longitudinally of Said column for musing;` said shult to move said finder body about its pivot.

FREDERICK A. VENlYlAN. 

